An Officer of the Deck (OOD) is always on the bridge when the ship is
underway. Each OOD stands a four-hour watch and is the officer
designated by the Commanding Officer (CO) to be in charge of the ship. The
OOD is responsible for the safety and operation of the ship, including navigation,
ship handling, communications, routine tests and inspections, reports, supervision
of the watch team, and carrying out the Plan of the Day.

Also on the bridge are the helmsman who steers the ship, and the lee helmsman
who operates the engine order control, telling the engineroom how what speed
to make. There are also lookouts, and the Boatswains Mate of the Watch (BMOW)
who supervises the helsman, lee helmsman, and lookouts.

The Quartermaster of the Watch assists the OOD in navigation, reports
all changes in weather, temperature and barometer readings, and keeps the
ship's log.